The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind has ceased funding consumer organisation Deafblind NZ (Incorporated) from 19 April 2007.

Regrettably, this step was necessary because the organisation:

• has demonstrated an inability to resolve ongoing internal disputes within its Executive, and not followed its own Constitution to mediate and resolve disputes
• is not fulfilling its Constitution’s objectives because of these internal disputes

Every consumer organisation is required to be well-managed, well-governed, clearly serving its membership and operating according to its own Constitution. Deafblind NZ (Incorporated) has not met these criteria for some time, despite considerable support and encouragement from the Foundation over many months.

The decision to stop funding to the Society has no affect whatsoever on the Foundation’s ongoing support to deafblind members; this support will continue. 

The Foundation remains committed to funding the eight other consumer organisations, which continue to serve their membership and operate according to their own Constitutions.